Passthrough concrete anchor

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed towards a concrete lift anchor. The concrete lift anchor of the present invention comprises a metal bar having a top, bottom and first and second sides, at least one attachment aperture, at least one reinforcement bar aperture, at least one passthrough aperture, and a shear plate aperture. The top side of the bar further comprises a first channel, a first upwardly projecting face, a platform face, a second upwardly projecting face, and a second channel. The anchor further comprises a crescent shaped indentation on the first side of the rectangular shaped bar.

[0001] The present invention relates towards a concrete anchor assemblyfor embedment in a concrete member, such as a precast or tilt-up wall.The concrete anchor of the present invention allows for concretemembers, such as walls, to be positioned by the use of standard liftingequipment (cranes with cable attachments, etc.) by connecting liftingattachments to the concrete anchor which is embedded in a concretemember.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] At present, concrete anchors are stamped out of strip steel.Reinforcing bars for anchoring and bonding are placed through the holesor notches in the anchor and shear plates are strongly welded to theanchors when the anchors are made. Lifting hardware is connected to thetop of the anchor.

[0003] Prior art anchors need a separate pin, cut out, or plate weldedon the bottom to develop a shear-cone in the concrete to develop holdingstrength. The strength of currently manufactured anchors are commonly2-ton, 4-ton and 8-ton with a 4:1 safety factor. Current anchors arehigh in weight partially because only the connecting apertures arestamped out of the metal anchor, with the rest of the anchor remainingas solid material.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is directed towards a concrete lift anchor.The concrete anchor is made by drop forging or casting a unitary metalplate, suitably using a 90000 psi steel that brings the anchor to a3-ton, 6-ton, or 10-ton capacity with a 4:1 safety factor. Anchors ofincreasing thickness allow for a greater weight capacity to be achieved.

[0005] The concrete lift anchor of the present invention comprises ametal bar having a top, bottom and first and second sides, at least oneattachment aperture, at least one reinforcement bar aperture, at leastone passthrough aperture, and a shear plate aperture. The top side ofthe bar further comprises a first channel, a first upwardly projectingface, a platform face, a second upwardly projecting face, and a secondchannel. The anchor further comprises a crescent shaped indentation onthe first side of the rectangular shaped bar. The crescent shapedindentation allows for a reinforcement bar to be positioned within theindentation.

[0006] The reinforcement bar apertures, shear plate aperture, andpassthrough apertures are formed in the anchor when forged or casted.The passthrough apertures of the anchor are suitably designed to save atleast about 30% in the weight of the anchor, over a similarly oridentically designed anchor without the passthrough apertures. Thisdesign makes the cost of transportation and surface treatment moreeconomical because of the savings based on the reduced weight of theanchor. The passthrough apertures also provide additional strength byallowing the concrete to fill in the spaces during pouring. By formingthe shear plate aperture in the anchor, it is not necessary to stronglyweld the shear-plate to the anchor when the anchor is forged. The anchorof the present invention is designed so an individual can simply slide ashear plate or plates through the shear plate aperture and secure themin place. Suitable means of securing the shear plates would be either bya tack weld or by use of wedges that are pushed in from opposite sidesand locked by a driving force, such as a hammer blow. The anchor of thepresent invention, therefore, allows for the opportunity to assemble theshear plate of the concrete anchor at the job site or precastmanufacturer.

[0007] In one embodiment of the invention, the anchor comprises arectangular shaped bar. In this embodiment, the rectangular shaped barhas a top, bottom and first and second sides, at least one attachmentaperture, at least one reinforcement bar aperture, at least onepassthrough aperture, and a shear plate aperture. The top side of thebar further comprises a first channel, a first upwardly projecting face,a platform face, a second upwardly projecting face, and a secondchannel. The second side of the rectangular shaped bar further comprisesa downwardly projecting side face, an extending side face, and anupwardly projecting side face. The shear plate aperture is adjacent tothe extending side face. A crescent shaped indentation is positioned onthe first side of the rectangular shaped bar. Also, a wedged shaped footis positioned on the bottom of the rectangular shaped bar. The wedgedshaped foot is also formed in the drop forging or casting of the anchor.The wedged shaped foot of the present invention develops a largershear-cone in the concrete than existing cutouts or pins.

[0008] In another embodiment of the concrete anchor of the invention,the anchor comprises a square shaped bar. In this embodiment, the squareshaped bar has a top, bottom and first and second sides, at least oneattachment aperture, at least one reinforcement bar aperture, at leastone passthrough aperture, and a shear plate aperture. The top side ofthe bar further comprises a first channel, a first upwardly projectingface, a platform face, a second upwardly projecting face, and a secondchannel. The anchor further comprises a crescent shaped indentation onthe first side of the square shaped bar. The shear plate aperture isfound on the bar adjacent to the second side.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the followingdetailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 shows a top view of one embodiment of the concrete liftanchor of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 shows a front view of one embodiment of the concrete liftanchor of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the concretelift anchor of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the concretelift anchor of the present invention with shear plates positioned withinthe shear plate aperture.

[0014]FIG. 5 shows a cut-away perspective view of one embodiment of theconcrete lift anchor of the present invention embedded in a concreteform.

[0015]FIG. 6 shows a top view of another embodiment of the concrete liftanchor of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 7 shows a front view of another embodiment of the concretelift anchor of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of theconcrete lift anchor of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of theconcrete lift anchor of the present invention with a shear platepositioned within the shear plate aperture.

[0019]FIG. 10 shows a cut away side view of another embodiment of theconcrete lift anchor of the present invention embedded in a concreteform.

[0020] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and/or the arrangements ofthe components set forth in the following description or illustrated inthe drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understoodthat the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including” and “comprising” and variations thereof herein is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as wellas additional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention is directed towards a concrete lift anchor.The concrete anchor is made by drop forging or casting a unitary metalplate, suitably using a 90000 psi steel. Anchors of increasing thicknessallow for a greater weight capacity to be achieved.

[0022] One embodiment of the concrete lift anchor of the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 1-4.

[0023] The anchor 10 comprises a rectangular shaped bar 12 suitablyconstructed out of a durable metal such as steel. The anchor 10 isconstructed by drop forging or casting as a unitary piece. Therectangular shaped bar has a top 14, bottom 16 and first 18 and second20 sides, an attachment aperture 22, a first reinforcement bar aperture24, a second reinforcement bar aperture 25 and a first passthroughaperture 26.

[0024] Suitably, the first passthrough aperture 26 is designed so thatthe weight of the anchor 10 is reduced by at least 30%. Thereinforcement bar apertures 24 and 25 are suitably designed to allow forreinforcement bars in a concrete form to be passed through the aperture24 and 25 respectively.

[0025] The top side 14 of the bar 12 further comprises a first channel28, a first upwardly projecting face 30, a platform face 32, a secondupwardly projecting face 34, and a second channel 36. The platform face32, along with the lifting attachment aperture 22, is suitably designedto allow for the secure attachment of a lifting mechanism for moving andpositioning a concrete form in which the concrete anchor 10 is embedded.The lifting attachment (such as a hook or other suitable attachment) issuitably connected to the concrete anchor 10 via the attachment aperture22.

[0026] The second side 20 of the rectangular shaped bar 12 furthercomprises a downwardly projecting side face 38, an extending side face40, and an upwardly projecting side face 42. A shear plate aperture 44is adjacent to the extending side face 40. The shear plate aperture 44is designed to receive a shear plate or plates 102. The shear plates aresuitably held in place be either by a tack weld or by use of wedges thatare pushed in from opposite sides and locked by driving them in byforce. A crescent shaped indentation 46 is positioned on the first side18 of the rectangular shaped bar 12. The crescent shaped indentation 46allows for a reinforcement bar to be positioned within the indentation.Also, a wedged shaped foot 48 is located on the bottom 14 of therectangular shaped bar 12.

[0027]FIG. 5 shows the anchor 10 of the present invention embedded in aconcrete form 120. The top 14 of the metal bar 12 is positioned adjacentto the face of the concrete form 120. A void former, suitably made fromrubber, is placed around the anchor 10 and covers a portion of theanchor including the first channel 28, platform face 32, second channel36, and the attachment aperture 22. When the concrete is poured aroundthe anchor, the area covered by the void former stays free of concrete,while the rest of the anchor 10, including the passthrough aperture 26,shear plates 102, and wedged shaped foot 48 are encompassed by theconcrete. When the concrete form 120 is hardened, the void former isremoved and a void recess 122 is formed around a portion of the anchor10, allowing lifting hardware to be attached to the anchor 10, via theattachment aperture 22 and the first channel 28, platform face 32, andsecond channel 36. This allows for a lifting attachment to be suitablyconnected to the concrete anchor 10.

[0028] Another embodiment of the concrete anchor is shown in FIGS. 6-9.

[0029] The anchor 50 comprises a square shaped bar 52 suitablyconstructed out of a durable metal such as steel. The anchor 50 isconstructed by drop forging or casting as a unitary piece. The bar 52has a top 54, bottom 56 and first 58 and second 60 sides, an attachmentaperture 62, a first 64 and second 66 reinforcement bar aperture, afirst 68 and second 70 passthrough apertures, and a shear plate aperture72.

[0030] Suitably, the first and second passthrough apertures 68 and 70are designed so that the weight of the anchor 50 is reduced by at least30%. The reinforcement bar apertures 64 and 66 are suitably designed toallow for reinforcement bars to be passed through the apertures 64 and66 respectively. The shear plate aperture 72 is found on the bar 52adjacent to the second side 60. The shear plate aperture 72 is designedto receive a shear plate or plates 104. The shear plate 104 is suitablyheld in place by either by a tack weld or by the use of wedges that arepushed in from opposite sides and locked by driving them in by force.

[0031] The top side 54 of the bar 52 further comprises a first channel74, a first upwardly projecting face 76, a platform face 78, a secondupwardly projecting face 80, and a second channel 82. The platform face78, along with the lifting attachment aperture 62, is suitably designedto allow for the secure attachment of a lifting mechanism for moving andpositioning a concrete form in which the concrete lift anchor 50 isembedded. The lifting attachment (such as a hook or other suitableattachment) is suitably connected to the concrete anchor 50 via theattachment aperture 62.

[0032] The anchor further comprises a crescent shaped indentation 84 onthe first side 58 of the square shaped bar 52. The crescent shapedindentation 84 allows for a reinforcement bar to be positioned withinthe indentation.

[0033]FIG. 10 shows the anchor 50 embedded in a concrete form 108. Theanchor is attached to a rubber void former 106 which is attached to aframe 114 which shapes the poured concrete into a desired shapedconcrete form 108. The anchor 50 is positioned such that the top face 54of the bar 52 is adjacent to the frame 114. Reinforcement bars 118 arepassed through the reinforcement bar apertures 64 and 66 in the anchor50 in order to provide more stability to the anchor 50 when the concretehardens. The void former 106 is positioned onto the anchor 50 so thatthe void former 106 covers a portion of the anchor 50, including thefirst channel, platform face, second channel, and the attachmentaperture. Insulation 112 can also be positioned within the frame 114.When concrete is poured into the frame 114, the area protected by thevoid former 106 stays free of concrete, while the remainder of theanchor 50, including the passthrough apertures 68 and 70, shear plate104, reinforcement bars 118 and insulation 112 are encompassed by theconcrete. When the concrete form 108 is hardened, the void former 106 isremoved and a void recess is formed around a potion of the anchor 50,allowing lifting hardware to be attached to the anchor 50, via theattachment aperture and the first channel, platform face, and secondchannel. This allows for a lifting attachment to be suitably connectedto the concrete anchor 50.

1. A concrete anchor comprising: a bar having a top, bottom and firstand second sides, at least one attachment aperture, at least onereinforcement bar aperture, at least one passthrough aperture, and ashear plate aperture; wherein the top side of the bar further comprisesa first channel, a first upwardly projecting face, a platform face, asecond upwardly projecting face, and a second channel.
 2. The concreteanchor of claim 1, wherein the second side of the bar further comprisesa downwardly projecting side face, an extending side face, and anupwardly projecting side face.
 3. The concrete anchor of claim 2,wherein the shear plate aperture is adjacent to the extending side face.4. The concrete anchor of claim 1 wherein the shear plate aperture isadjacent to the second side.
 5. The concrete anchor of claim 1 whereinthe anchor further comprises a wedged shaped foot located at the bottomof the bar.
 6. The concrete anchor of claim 1 wherein the anchor furthercomprises a crescent shaped indentation on the first side of the bar. 7.The concrete anchor of claim 1, wherein the at least one passthroughaperture is designed so that the weight of the anchor is reduced by atleast 30%.
 8. A concrete anchor comprising: a rectangular shaped barhaving a top, bottom and first and second sides, at least one attachmentaperture, at least one reinforcement bar aperture, at least onepassthrough aperture, and a shear plate aperture; wherein the top sideof the bar further comprises a first channel, a first upwardlyprojecting face, a platform face, a second upwardly projecting face, anda second channel.
 9. The concrete anchor of claim 8, wherein the secondside of the rectangular shaped bar further comprises a downwardlyprojecting side face, an extending side face, and an upwardly projectingside face.
 10. The concrete anchor of claim 9, wherein the shear plateaperture is adjacent to the extending side face.
 11. The concrete anchorof claim 8 wherein the anchor further comprises a wedged shaped footlocated at the bottom of the rectangular shaped bar.
 12. The concreteanchor of claim 8 wherein the anchor further comprises a crescent shapedindentation on the first side of the rectangular shaped bar.
 13. Theconcrete anchor of claim 8, wherein the at least one passthroughaperture is designed so that the weight of the anchor is reduced by atleast 30%.
 14. A concrete anchor comprising: a rectangular shaped barhaving a top, bottom and first and second sides, an attachment aperture,a first reinforcement bar aperture, a second reinforcement bar aperture,a passthrough aperture, and a shear plate aperture; wherein the top sideof the bar further comprises a first channel, a first upwardlyprojecting face, a platform face, a second upwardly projecting face, anda second channel; wherein the second side of the rectangular shaped barfurther comprises a downwardly projecting side face, an extending sideface, and an upwardly projecting side face; wherein the shear plateaperture is adjacent to the extending side face; wherein the anchorfurther comprises a wedged shaped foot located on the bottom of therectangular shaped bar; and wherein the anchor further comprises acrescent shaped indentation on the first side of the rectangular shapedbar.
 15. The concrete anchor of claim 14, wherein the passthroughaperture is designed so that the weight of the anchor is reduced by atleast 30%.
 16. A concrete anchor comprising: a square shaped bar havinga top, bottom and first and second sides, at least one attachmentaperture, at least one reinforcement bar aperture, at least onepassthrough aperture, and a shear plate aperture; wherein the top sideof the bar further comprises a first channel, a first upwardlyprojecting face, a platform face, a second upwardly projecting face, anda second channel.
 17. The concrete anchor of claim 16, wherein the shearplate aperture is adjacent to the second side.
 18. The concrete anchorof claim 16 wherein the anchor further comprises a crescent shapedindentation on the first side of the square shaped bar.
 19. The concreteanchor of claim 16, wherein the at least one passthrough aperture isdesigned so that the weight of the anchor is reduced by at least 30%.20. A concrete anchor comprising: a square shaped bar having a top,bottom and first and second sides, an attachment aperture, a firstreinforcement bar aperture, a second reinforcement bar aperture, a firstand second passthrough aperture, and a shear plate aperture wherein theshear plate aperture is adjacent to the second side; wherein the topside of the bar further comprises a first channel, a first upwardlyprojecting face, a platform face, a second upwardly projecting face, anda second channel; and wherein the anchor further comprises a crescentshaped indentation on the first side of the square shaped bar.
 21. Theconcrete anchor of claim 20, wherein the first and second passthroughapertures are designed so that the weight of the anchor is reduced by30%.